Problem Solving

Problem solving and conflict resolution are some of the most important skills to learn in the early childhood years.  parents of alumni return later to tell us it is these skills that aided their child in elementary school years.  We strive to teach children that they can be problem solvers and resolve conflicts.  Problems and conflicts are a normal part of life, from young children through adults.  We aren't trying to teach children  to avoid these conflicts.  Instead we seek to teach them strategies to address them.

When a child graduates from preschool, we want them to be confident and competent problem solvers, with at least 5 strategies at the ready.  We want them to know which to use for any given situation, and we want them to use them skillfully.  Today we introduced the first strategy "Stand up for yourself"( Stop) and used role playing and a puppet (our dear friend Bruce) as a tool to support learning the strategy.  Moving forward we will have games, dramatic play, and all sorts of fun activities designed to help your child internalize each of the strategies.

We invite you to join us by using the same language and strategies at home.  The five problem solving strategies we will teach over the next several months  include...Stop! And stand up for yourself, Get Help, Walk Away, Ignore and Negotiate.

Today at our second morning meeting we asked the children if they had the opportunity to use the "Stand up for yourself"  strategy outside on the playground?  Sally shared that another child kicked her,and she told that child, "Stop, I don't like it when you kick me!"  Ellie shared, "I told someone in the sandbox "Stop not sharing the shovel."  Lily O came forward and found a shovel for Ellie to dig with.  Lily 's friendly behavior "filled"  Ellie's bucket!  Thanks Lily!

Next week we will introduce the "Get Help" Strategy!